The constable kicked open a door and Lysa’s jaw dropped at the implication. “You… and me?”
He slapped her bottom, a stinging blow on her tense behind. “In!”
Lysa stumbled forward, across the threshold of the doorway.
The cell door slammed shut behind her. Leaning his back against the door, the constable leered at Lysa as she scurried away from him. In a matter of seconds she’d gone from excitement to outright fear. The rumours of his predatory sexual habits were about to be made real, but why had nobody ever come forward to complain? Faced by the brute, his large frame occupying half of the small room, she understood. Who would believe them, or her? What was needed was evidence, but so many things could go wrong and although she’d convinced Blake she was up to the task, he’d been far from keen.
The room fell silent. She swallowed hard and waited, hoping the constable would fill the void with something damning and quickly, before she crumbled under the pressure.
The constable sauntered forward, grinning and he dropped a hand to his crotch. “I’m already getting hard and you’re not even undressed.”
She swallowed, her heart skipping beats as she fought with her nerves. “You wouldn’t dare touch me, not like that.”
“Oh, I can and I will. Canes leave marks, but a fuck… I expect you’ll be dripping wet by the time you’ve finished sucking my cock.” He laughed as she walked backwards into the wall.
“I’ve not been before the adjudicator.”
He shrugged. “Afterwards, when I’ve had my fill of you, I might let you go or take you to him.”
“I’ll tell him! You won’t get away with this!”
“He won’t believe you. He never does. I can do what I want.”
The last few words said much, she hoped they were enough. Please, come now! She kept her back straight, conscious of the little device in her collar recording everything he said. It had to be enough evidence. The constable moved closer, she could smell his ghastly breath. She wriggled her nose and turned her face away. Just as his hand reached out and grasped her neck, the door behind him burst open.
It wasn’t Blake, but the two black uniformed aides. Lysa held her breath—were they there to help her or him? They hesitated, and the constable looked over his shoulder. “What do you want? I need another an hour or so.”
The taller, man stepped forward and cleared his throat. “I’m under orders to arrest you.”
“Arrest me,” roared the constable. “By whose authority?”
“Mine.” Ridley stepped through the door and behind him came Blake.
The constable released his grip and Lysa massaged her neck. She shot around him and ran straight into Blake’s awaiting arms. The constable blustered, arguing with Ridley about his rights, but he could do little to prevent his seizure. The two guards cuffed his hands behind his back.
Lysa detached the bugging device and handed it to Ridley. No bigger than a pin, he held it up before the constable. “This has recorded your intended assault on Lysa.”
Lysa gave the constable a triumphant smile as his face turned white.
Ridley gave her a nod. “You’re free to go now, Lysa. Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention. I shall deal with it and you need not fear any retaliation. The constable will remain in this cell until he’s sent back to Earth.”
Blake kept her close as they left the security block, he held her hand tightly and she breathed deeply, filling her lungs and calming her nervous state.
“I still can’t believe I let you do that,” he muttered.
“Reparation for the paddling you gave me. It was my choice and with Ridley’s help, I was always safe.” She didn’t feel it much at the time, but she trusted the boss, especially since he’d put in a good word for her at the Corporation.
“I don’t know, Lysa. He had his hand about your throat.” Blake grimaced. “I panicked, almost charged in too early, but Ridley held me back. We heard everything. The transmission was clear.”
“I couldn’t have done it without the cooperation of Jen and Sym. They helped set it up. Also, Millicent, though I doubt she understood what was going on.”
“Harkess will get away with it.” Blake sighed.
“Ridley has promised he will replace the constable with somebody he trusts. As for Harkess… don’t you think it is odd how quickly the constable arrives every time Millicent is present?”
“It is peculiar. Ridley can’t touch Harkess, not unless he does something seriously inappropriate. So far he’s walked a fine line and stayed out of reach.” Blake opened the door to their pod. “It’s been a hectic few days. Sorting out the venting problem, getting production back up and, today, Ridley’s little
scheme to trap the constable.”